Thieves are dicing with death by drilling into the petrol tanks of cars to steal fuel, North Yorkshire police have warned.
They say the thieves have struck 18 times in the past week in the York area with attacks in Huntington, new Earswick, Heworth, Upper Poppleton and Haxby.
PC Alex Dobson said it was extremely dangerous and they’re particularly concerned someone will get seriously hurt.
"When a power tool is used to drill through metal, heat and sparks are created which could ignite highly flammable fuel, potentially causing serious injury,” he warned. “
Puddles of fuel were also invariably left under or near the victim's car, causing another hazard for car owners or passers-by. They are not only risking their own lives but those of others.”
Most of the vehicles targeted in York were French-manufactured, including Peugeots, Citroens and Renaults.
Police have called on anyone who knows anything about the thefts or who has also been targeted to contact them through 101 and ask for PC Alex Dobson.
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